We incubatorskie - Alexander Papchenko

About a life of children in a boarding-school.

Yatsik

Yatsik knew about itself everything. He was not thin — emaciated. His sticking out collar-bones and shoulder-blades threatened to break through a pale peeling skin. In babyhood he was ill a scrofula and measles and already here, in boarding-school, two times recovered with a scab in an insulator. In spite of the fact that Yatsik was little, all parts of his body were out of proportion to large: loggerhead, large sticking out ears, large nose. He also had eyes large — beautiful, blue. But nobody, probably, never saw their color, because Yatsik walked, constantly looking down, and unbended only then, when nobody was nearby. It smelled urine from him.

Seemed, he had been saturated with this smell. Nobody sit with him in a classroom. In a bedroom his bed stood separately, moved away in the farthest corner.

Yatsik was written. Therefore above him could banter every, to whom not laziness, or it is simple to kick under the back, if it did not have time to clear the way. He was always engaged in the dirtiest job. And Yatsik lived, trying not meet on eyes to the class-mates. Yatsik knew that he worse than other. Knew that if he was not Yatsik, but by somebody else, strong and independent, then necessarily there was other Yatsik. And he would wrinkle a nose, passing by. Educators belonged to Yatsik variously: one hid the grimace of disgust only, other tried to protect him. But from this help more frequent did not turn out next to nothing. There was enough tender-hearted teacher turned away, as in the back Yatsik flew:

— U-u, stsykun... — Or simply kick.

A father hurried round their house with a torch... He yelled, that would setting fire all their serpentine nest... If they will not admit him... Then he did something with a mother... Yelled...

Eyes glazed for a mother...

— A-a-a! — Yatsik began to cry and woke up.

The wet sheet oppositely stuck to to the back, and he, compressing, lay yet some time not moving, gathering oneself up before opposite and heavy work. And it is meantime needed it was to hurry. After windows grizzled.

Though Yatsik and been the death with the permanent feeling of humility, somewhere deeply a hope to become such glimmered into him, as all. Therefore between him and a class was string a secret duel — who will outwit. Yatsik was written and tried to hide tracks, and class-mates at mornings inverted his bed upside down. And if found the wet sheets, could, for example, to begin to shake in them Yatsik, as a doll...

Carefully, trying not to creak an armour net, Yatsik got up from a bed and lay down on the floor. The large wet spot began at his bed and stretched, meandering a thin trickle, through a passage-way under a neighbouring bed, where and formed a puddle.

Second of Yatsik meditated. After a rag to go it was far, and unsafely. Anybody will wake up necessarily. Then Yatsik pulled off hanging down on the back of bed towel for feet and accepted, creeping on a floor, wring out tin. Soon a towel was wet and no longer absorbed moisture. Yatsik in despair took own socks. When a puddle, finally, was wiped, he crumpled socks and towel and, trying not to squeeze them, laid down in a passage-way. Whether ot a cold — a shirt and shorts were wet, — whether ot fear, that anybody will find him after this employment, Yatsik was covered a goose skin. The shallow exhausting trembling shook him from finger-tips up and about to the top.

Now there was most difficult. Trying not to make noise, slowly-slowly Yatsik rolled mattress together with sheets in one large roll and put it into a passage-way between beds. Inward stuck the wet towel and socks. Taking off a bedspread from the back, he neatly covered a naked net and in the head of a bed put, as fixed, a pillow.

Only now Yatsik took the liberty a little to relax. Taking a seat on convolute mattress, he looked around once again. All is quiet. All sleep. Seems, it will be lucky for him this time.

Drawing a breath, Yatsik raised a package and on a tiptoe trudged along beds to the output. Now could decide all. It was enough anybody to open slightly eyes... But it is not... Closing after itself the door of bedroom, Yatsik quickly crossed a playing room. Here doors went out at once four scorched.

After windows already quite day is breaking. From a minute to the minute is wake up. Quick on a stair downward. A heavy package draws off hands. The wet shirt seems quite icy. All is a ground of the ground floor. Compressing, Yatsik does a step on a corridor, yet step... Back dear it is not anymore. Ahead of lobby and from one side door in a dryer. After a dinner-wagon in the corner of lobby, where a duty educator sits usually, nobody is present.

«Drove!» — Yatsik was happy and bustled in a dryer. To decompose matrats on thick hot pipes was the matter of one minute. Here he spread a sheet and socks. And suddenly after the back of Yatsik heard somebody's breathing. He looked around scared... Dim Dimych stood in doors, or, as he was called for eyes, Kontuzhenyy.

He was elderly, and, apparently, him indeed once on war contused, in any event, so boys fluttered. Therefore now every time, when Dim Dimych was nervous, his grey head convulsively had twitched upwards - downward, as if he wanted someone to say: «Yes - yes - yes - yes». Boys often specially teased him, observe, as Dim Dimych will peck a nose. Although, if honestly, he was loved , that he knew and able to tell the great number of histories.

— Went!

Yatsik shriveled and went, feverishly finding acquittals, why he getting up appeared in a dryer...

Dim Dimych led Yatsik in an educate, little neat small room with a bed, arm-chair, large lamp under a beautiful green lamp-shade. Here a duty educator while away night.

Yatsik stopped at a door, not deciding to take a step on the territory forbidden for him.

— What does cost? Sit down, — Dim Dimych nodded on an arm-chair. Yatsik on a tiptoe passed in a depth a room and carefully, trying not to touch the wet shirt of the back of arm-chair, sat down on an edge.

— And all royal rat'... — said of thoughtfully Dim Dimych, from top to bottom intently looking over shriveling Yatsik.

«Got off from a mind», — Yatsik was languidly scared, remembering everything, that heard ot boys about Dim Dimych. Especially as Dim Dimych head was suddenly begun to shake and he pulled off a jerk from a bed covered, so, that a pillow flew away on the floor. Yatsik rose, yet not deciding on your own — to hurry him or remain. Meantime Dim Dimych similarly, by a jerk, tore off from a bed a blanket and covered by him Yatsik. And then, pushing in a breast, pressed in an arm-chair:

— Sit!

Then he started to climb somewhere in a corner and obtained a large thermos. Did unscrew a lid, dropping something metallic are spoons? — extracted from a closet a cup and fill there strong-smelling hot tea. And, hardly not spilling, Yatsik stuck:

— Drink!

Resoundingly furnace. Awake. The first steps were heard in corridors. Yatsik sat, convulsively seizing in a hot cup, and thought that a wonderful, warm, fleecy blanket will be saturated with now his opposite stinking smell.

— Drink, — began to shake the head of Dim Dimych and smiled suddenly. Yatsik in reply also poorly smiled and made attempt drink, but his teeth knocked on the edge of cup, and he in any way could not leave off to think that now all: both blanket and this cup, and arm-chair — all will smell urine.

Dim Dimych sat down on a bed right opposite Yatsik and also began to drink tea from the lid of thermos.

After a door educate somebody's steps rumbled heavily. Yatsik gave start involuntarily — steps belonged to director of boarding-school Scherba.

— Awake!!! — his scream was heard.

Yatsik presented how Scherba bursts in chambers and pulls off on the floor those, whoever had time to wake up. And their matratsy together with pillows and sheets fly in a stairwell.

— I am a weak-willed man, — suddenly Dim Dimych pronounced and smiled. Yatsik surprised raised eyes.

— Yes, I am a weak-willed man, — Dim Dimych repeated, breathing. — I must get up in five mornings, as doctors advise, to do charging, then run not less half-hour, after is a contrasting shower. Otherwise. — Dim Dimych stumbled. — But I need a partner. I live here, on Aviation, not far away. Tomorrow in five I wait you on a stadium. Do You agree?

Not to that expressing a consent, but rather ot the surprise of suggestion of Yatsik nodded a head.

Dim Dimych refilled itself and Yatsik from a thermos expecting:

— But look, — Dim Dimych squinted, — persuasion is more dear than money. Right?

— Right, — Yatsik said of, yet disbelieving in the seriousness of suggestion.

— And that you accidentally not oversleep, I will abandon duty educators a message and will wake you. And how it? I will get up neither light nor sunset, and you are not present. Badly?

— Badly, — Yatsik said.

Dim Dimych, stretching a hand, pulled about him on a top, and, perchance, first in life of Yatsik forgot to think, that now a palm of Dim Dimycha will be something to smell.

Kid

I included forcing. It is now possible it was to be not afraid. The forest ended. Boarding-school remained far behind. Ahead there was only steppe... And freedom. I snuggled up to earth and evilly rounded oak, standing on the edge of the wood. The unmowed grass beat on face, but it liked me. And speed, speed, speed! All met before eyes. And quiet. Only in a height a bird sang somewhere. And a sun went down over-the-horizon. A grass hissed, combed on part the hidden lines of gravipolya. Healthily! Turning a lever on a belt, I flew up in sky. There stopped beating on a second and by a bullet downward. Certainly, it is impossible by rules of it to do, but I like so. I go out from falling at earth and again in sky. And stop beating there. As a bird. As a cloud...

Kid

- Crutches! Will you listen some time, what do we here talk about? - above my head voice of Valerian was unexpectedly heard. Generally she is called Valeria Dmitrievna, but it is long. And then for her such boring person, when she reads, as though her drunk was made a valerian.

- Do I tell you, Crutches?

Here bore. I hear, hear. To me. I get up and begin attentively to study floor boards. Laughters are heard in a class. It as led...

- Quietly, boys, - Valeria talks. - Explain to us, Crutches, what do you all time think about? Maybe, will we all together think above your of genii ideas?

Aha, dispersed. I present, what guilty now for me the back of head. Citizens of judge, be lenient...

- Well, Crutches. you do not want us to talk, will tell after a lesson in teaching.

Vit'ka, neighbour, on a blotting paper draws all lessons of devils, and even that. Yes, put. And for me, by the way, a book lies on knees. Excellent book, I will say you, "Kid" Strugatski. I her yesterday for one boy got to honour on days. Book - begun to swing. Only at Valeria does not especially honour. An eye nametannyy for her. Both included about Famusova and let class to iron eyes. There - here. you will not leak out. And here, look, she stuck to the window. Stands the back to the class and buzzes droningly, as a fly at glass. And that did she see such there? Fence? Petukhovskie of roof? Turn in wine? Maybe, for her husband drunkard? From house carries things. There are such. Here she him and calculates. Togo and look will see, for a head grabbed. Will begin to wail or, yet worse, in a fainting fit will clatter. "Parasite, damned! Where did you drag pier-glass?!" Yes, melancholy. Well, I was moved aside ot a school desk, and in a book. And for me ridiculous manner: as will begin to read, so around notice nothing.

And here yet a book is such class. Understand. And it seems to me already, that I on a stranger planet. And that I - it not I quite, but cybernetic engineer Stas'. And alongside girl this, Shirt.

Well and boy, Kid. Naked, one and on a stranger planet. Horror. Stuck and read:

"it is Mother, - Kid said suddenly.

I gave a glance, Shirt had stood alongside.

- Mother, - Kid repeated not moving.

- Yes, bluebell, - Shirt said quietly. A kid sat down...

- Say once again! - he demanded.

- Yes, bluebell, - Shirt said. Her face became white..."

Here to me it became so pitifully this boy. In a nose began to tickle. And only I going to invert a page, as something heavy leaned heavily on me from above. And I did not have time to do anything. And when understood that it Valeria stole up to me on a tiptoe, it was already lately. She seized by the manicure fingers in a book and pulls to itself. I, certainly, was frightened. But does not produce. And she pulled, and book - f'yut'! - in half. It, probably, healthily wicked her. Stands, breathes heavily. A face is red, as if boiled, a blouse to was one side hammered together. A mouth makes a face. Well and I am quiet. That will say here? All clear and so. Citizens of judge, be lenient... Did regain consciousness, grasped me for a collar - where force undertook from only, in fact too skinny? - and let by a head at a school desk to beat. And a book is pitiful me. How now to give will be?

Finally tired of her to beat my noddle at a school desk, and can, she get tired, in general, released me. Stands, lips move, with to speak at a loony nothing can. Noticed that I looked after her, stepped back to the board. By a handkerchief from a forehead brushed sweat, pulled down a blouse. After a lesson will go off to the director, talks. Well, I gave start here. you do not know our director... Former sportsman. Growth - under two meters. And fists, I will say you, - that my head. And with us, certainly, to him stand on ceremony there is especially nothing. Contingent yet so. Begone to Bruin in an ear moved so, that blood was stopped hardly. And will dislike who - stick to. Better at once in runs or in a loop. We have me here one such. Kotlubaev is a bashkir or kazakh. From a colony to us arrived. Peaceful. Always will begin to beat somewhere in a corner, and he is not visible, not heard. Apparently, in a colony taught life to value. So Scherba - so call our director, - where will not meet him, at once on a neck. I you, talks, colonist, dregs, see through. Such put here. And who will complain?

Vit'ka, neighbour, pushed a message on my side: "Prof, will beat, at once fall". Thank you, certainly, for advice.

Well, shorter, a lesson made off. Valeria took me for a shoulder and carried in teaching. Fingers for her are sharp, will not break forth. Yet voice of Scherby caught from afar. Well all, think, with regards, dandelion.

Valeria led me in teaching. There populous. Teachers are full. Fizruk, englishwoman, yet someone. Did not look over, not to who it was. Saw me, at once became quietly. I look, goes to me Scherba with Valeria. And for me, as for spite, a knee began to tremble, scum. Citizens of judge, be...

- You what, cheat, on lessons does read books? - Scherba asks as though as quietly, and at nostrils wite. It means, led. Nerves. We bothered to him to the devils, probably, if he with half turn... And in a corridor someone neighes from senior pupils. Became enviably to me. Honestly.

- I you, dreg, ask! - he snatched out at Valerian book and pokes me in a nose. And a book smells a library. Special such smell. Ot him for me on the soul becomes always so well, so quietly. Comfortably. Scherba pokes, and for me before the eyes of letter bruise along. Just the same place: "Mam-ma,

- Kid said suddenly. - Yes, bluebell..." It is farther ragged.

- Do I who ask, dreg? - Scherba threatened. I, certainly, convolved, as a worm on a hook. He did not strike only, skunk. Specially, that ashamed me it became, what I am a coward. Look however. Understands...

- You, scoundrel, does teach, put on shoes, dress, feed, and you on lessons read books? I know, heard. And repressed you the food. It is not necessary me. And here he cut in me. By a not fist, certainly, so, that without tracks. It he learned after a this case with Mishka by an ear. Well and added once again. For an even number. Will repeat oneself once again, talks, I with you nursed will not be. It is exact, it will not be.

- Your place is in a colony. Did understand?

I, certainly, nodded a head. Understood, they say.

- Now March to a lesson.

I and went. A change ended already. In corridors emptily. An ear burns a fire. It is ashamed somehow in a class to go. And I go delayed on a street... to catch one's the breath. I look, on the ground floor Valerian stands, with fizrukom says nice words to. Well, think, will stick to now. Where, why, why not on a lesson? It is not. Saw me - turned away. As though remedies a hair-do. I went out on a street and went out into a sleeping corps. Here only began to shake me. Feet tremble, hands tremble, teeth knock, and, mainly, nothing with itself can not getting on. Funnily? I look, and to meet, as for spite, nursery governess the new combs... Louisa Abramovna. Citizens of judge, be lenient... Not that I was afraid of her, vice versa, I to her even verses showed it. And one time, when for me a tooth was ill, so in general... In a bedroom noise, din, is before retreat. And I welter, cry, well nothing with itself can getting on. A tooth baked until done. Tears, skunk, roll so. And she walked up to me, bent over... To me to one, does understand? And so did stroke a hand, understand? A-a... In general, as I saw her, afraid. And then, think, will pass by. Maybe, will not notice. Or somehow... by a word, will carry.

Did not carry. She stopped me and asks:

- That did happen, Serezha?

- Nothing, - talk.

- I see that something happened. Why do not you want me to say? - And voice for her such. And peeps in me in a face. And so moved close-close, whether to hug, whether wants to stroke. I do not know here, that with me was done. Inwardly all somehow numbed. Good, I think. That do you climb to me with the snots?

- All of you are identical, - talk, - kontslagernye. Does want good to be? Yes?! It does not need me your snots!!!

I yell, and I sick. Because, certainly, lie that is all. But can not stop. As broke through. And for Louisa Abramovna person the frightful became suddenly, as though took his cramp and heaves up, heaves up, heaves up...

- Serezha... - she wants to stop me.

And I it:

- I hate you all! All! I hate this school! I hate everything!!!

Here me again began to shake. Nerves. Well, I broke forth to motion. That you did, scum, I think. That did you do?!

Generally from our school hurried often. At every trifle - nervous at once in runs. Half-school catches him. Will go after - drag back. And tomorrow, look, this one, that caught yesterday, in "sulky" written down.

Shorter, I walked in a fit of temper quarter three on Petukhovka. Looked around - nobody pursues after me. And here a quite dung became me. As though already and to spit all - there was I, was not, escaped, did not escape. And does can, so it and am? Stood and walk back.

On a pompier perched on a garret. There quietly, and nobody prevents to think. The neat lighted in the street of cigarette-end. On a ferrous roof a rain knocks. Comfortably. Warmly. Quietly. Peeked out on a street. Somewhere people wander about down, from here, from a garret, they quite as a small insects. And that, indeed, to do such vehicle, that you put on him, turned a lever on a belt - and started to fly. And that a sun! Devil... And the unmowed grass straight in a person. And speed. And you, being afraid of nobody, steam itself, as a bird. And when will bother, will swoop to earth and again in sky. And thicken there, as if a cloud. And let wind carry you, where he wants.


In Dryer


At the end of March boarding-school dies out. Unusually quietly in a sleeping corps. Now and then set about a resounding echo on corridors and playing rooms steps. And both under a floor board, or after a battery or in some other corner something rustle - probably, a boarding-school goblin pampers. Vacations.

In DryerOn the ground floor, next to a lobby, in a little small room - those boys going a dryer, whom parents did not arrive after. However, today yet only the first day of vacations...

Except for the smell of urine and floor, inundated water - drops from a wearing out battery, - a dryer does not have failings. It is here possible to lie though all day long, spreading dry matratsy on hot pipes. And as early as a dryer there is a window. Now in this window, perching with feet on matrats, Butkovski looks. For him pale, wrong form face, narrow cheek-bones, long nose. From a window a ground is visible before included in boarding-school, rather narrow lawn, green fence, dear with rare passers-by and one-story cottages on the toy side of street. All of it is covered grey thaw snow.

On a stomach, propping up a head hands, Ear-ring - Professor lies. Between Butkovski and Professor, sitting cross-ledged under itself and embrace knees hands, Sipina, awkward sits, in the washed off clothes. In other corner is Erik Pustovoytov. He just now entered in passion, telling next mysterious history, what are known by a great number. Not far from him Leshka from 1th "а". He is the most thankful listener. A jaw hung down even for him... Evidently, as far as approaching of story to culmination a teller begins little by little to worry. His voice is interrupted.

- ...Mother, certainly, in tears. How, a child disappeared! She is in a militia. There to her: "We will understand, citizen"... And... she went somehow on a market. Looks, old woman stands and sells patties. It wanted the mother of patty. Purchased, eats. What?! Nail. Nail of your son. With a birth-mark... - Erik suppressed, able maintaining a pause.

- Well and farther that? - Sipina shriveled.

- Farther a mother went out into a militia. Old woman arrested, and appeared, that she enticed children and...

- My God Erik, - Sipina was crossed, is horror what!

- And you that, Sipina, in God does believe? And yet pioneer... - yawning, Butkovskiy said of.

- And that you, Pricking, - Sipina gave start, is I so, simply...

- And it after whom? - announced one's presence of Leshka, looking intently into a window.

- Who? Where? - Erik was given to the window.

- Deceived a fool on four fists and on a fifth muzzle, that blew up you! - Leshka began to cry gladly.

- Ah you goat... - deceived Erik rose. Leshka here pressed in a corner.

- And well... well, that house was from a chocolate, - Sipina said of thoughtfully.

- And a pipe is an eskimo pie... Who did eat an eskimo pie? Is not it? It, I will say you...

- And fence from fruit jellies... - Leshka squealed, watchfully looking on Erik which hesitated: whether it is needed from a clip on the back of the head to creep on pipes through all dryer. He decided finally, that did not stand, and, breathing, lied, killing feet, on matrats.

- And snow is saccharine cotton wool. Lay down and gorge how many will climb, - happy abolition of clip on the back of the head Leshka pronounced.

- And a table in this house is a cake, - dreamily rolling eyes, Sipina said of.

- Interestingly, large there table? - Professor, until now not taking part in a talk, asked languidly.

On a few seconds a quiet was set in a dryer. Only from a battery droningly water dropped and passed a truck to down street.

- Sipina, - did Butkovskiy sit up on an elbow, - Sipina, and you know, where children undertake from?

On face Sipina appeared to the concentrated-isolated expression, what girls, playing dolls, have usually. Suspiciously sinking to one the side on Butkovski - obviously, expecting a dirty trick ot him, - she decided finally.

- I know. Their little cherubs bring and inlay a mother in a stomach.

- Ha-ha!!! - a dryer burst. All laughed, except for Leshka, which also agrees was to laugh, but nothing funny in the words of Sipina noticed.

- Well, Sipina! Well, you give! Do uncles walk to the mother? - Butkovskiy winked Erik.

- Well... - uncertainly, expecting next chicanery, Sipina said of.

- Here those and "well". And you are cherubs! Unshaven! Ha-ha! - Butkovskiy was grabbed for a stomach. - It is Scream...

Sipina began to blush. In the beginning tags of ears, then nose, then cheeks...

- Does she pickle for you? - Butkovski asked. To him, morally, it was interestingly to look after the changing face of Sipina...

- Drinks well... - deafly and somehow Sipina said doomed, - a little...

- And the drunk woman - to itself not hostess! - Butkovskiy translated a look to the window, as if all what is going on here lost every interest for him.

There was a tense pause.

- I... Pricking... I... A mother will arrive here, I to her... - Sipina began slowly.

- Will not arrive, - tore off her Butkovski.

- Why? - Sipina asked and, dropping a head, began concentrated to dig up a finger hole on the hem of clothes.

- Will not arrive - and all. you are needed to her... - not torn away Butkovski said from a window, more conveniently settling down on matratse.

- Why? - Sipina bustled a nose, going to begin to cry. But a minute, second, passed, nobody no longer touched her, and she calmed down. It is not desirable to roar, when in a dryer so warmly and comfortably.

Meantime all tensely looked through window. There, near fence, some woman, making knots at feet, looked over boarding-school. Relaxing, she loaded on luggage to the back and walked by the gate of boarding-schools. All immediately lost interest to her.

Suddenly the door of dryer opend with a crash. Kapusta!!! Thunderstorm of junior classes. Swarthy and sinewy, in a shirt with the rolled up sleeves, Kapusta , putting one's arms akimbo, stood in a doorway.

-That concealed? - deliberately stretching words, he said of.

In reply is a quiet.

- Aha, - unkind grinning, Kapusta spit out on the floor, - does not wish to speak with an uncle? To get up! Trestles stinking...

All slowly got down with matratsev in water...

- So... it is Kapusta glanced aside a look along linings up in water boys. And this, who his look stayed too long on, dropped eyes.

- Well. Who now will dance twist, will be free. Clearly? To the uncle sadly...

All silently sullenly sullenly looked on a tormentor.

- Did not understand? - made a wry face Kapusta. - That after pause? Clear all all?!

- Clear...

- Ok. Let you are first, - nodded Kapusta on Erik.

Erik, fetching a sigh, looked around on sides, as if expecting a miracle which would relieve him of Kapusta . But a miracle did not happen, and Erik began to dance, splashing water in all sides.

- Liven an uncle.

Sipina, biting a lip, was turned away to the window. Butkovski is a break into dance. Kapusta grabbed for a stomach ot a laughter:

- Let, let victim of abortion! Well circus! Bend, bend knees, paralysed! Ha-ha! Here clever girl!

At this juncture from a lobby somebody's voice was reported:

- Kapustin! Kapustin, after you arrived!

Kapusta listened. From his face a smile slipped down slowly:

- Well it... - he remedied hairs confusedly. - Well all right... - and went out, neatly covering after itself a door.

Some strange sound was suddenly heard in a coming quiet. In the beginning he was very quiet, but, gradually collecting force, became all more loud and finally began to sound so piercing, that it wanted to clutch ears hands. As if squeezed a man enormous vises...

- A-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a!!!

It Butkovskiy yelled. He stood, unnaturally bowing, and his face was turned inside out a cramp. A professor and Erik, catching up Butkovski under hands, seated him on matrats. The point is that Butkovski had sick feet. He barely walked, privolakivaya draging them by turns... More all Sipina bustled about:

- Ring... Boys... that it... Serezhen'ka...

- Aa-a-a-a, - it was succeeded to unlink the teeth of Butkovski, - and clean it from here... this...

- Calm down you, - Sipina Professor pushed away. - That do you cackle? Now lie and will step back.

- So in fact terrible, Serezhen'ka... - Sipina whispered and, ascertaining, that Butkovski not going to die, started to climb into the place.

And it became again quietly, only it was heard, as water drops from a battery.

Erik dozed off, convolving a ball, almost touching the knees of chin. Butkovskiy motionlessly covered in ceiling, and it was quite impossible to understand, whether he sleeps with the opened eyes, whether simply thoughtful. Leshka, flattening a nose at glass, looked after some time, how somewhere pulled the "warm" dad Kapusta. And to the dad, it was visible on everything, it was so desirable, jerking a tear overcoat on a breast, to start in dance.

Sipina, leaning against to Professor, whispered something it is quiet, lips moved only.

- That do you mutter there? - sinking to one the side, Professor asked.

- So... I pray, - she whispered, bending over to the ear of Professor. - Only you tell nobody: boys will tease.

- I will not say, - thinking, Professor answered. Are you it... actually in God does believe?

- Yes, - Sipina whispered yet more quiet.

- Well and fool, - Professor breathed. - If was God, he would suffer really, that above Butoy mocked so?

- Rendered, - Sipina whispered, - rendered all in the tom world. The good will get in paradise, and wicked, as Cabbage, in hell. God, he all sees.

- And...your mother where will get? - Professor asked.

Sipina stumbled.

- Well?

- I do not know, - she pronounced plaintively, and Professor felt, as she began to tremble.

- You what? it is he unexpectedly on your own noticed that at Sipina green eyes and beautiful eyebrows... and that she is beautiful in general.

- Terrible to me, Serezhen'ka, - moved to Professor, Sipina whispered.

Professor made attempt be moved aside, but nowhere - farther wall. Then did he look around carefully - nobody sees? - and yet... Nothing more shameful and more frightful, than love, Professor did not know.

- What are you terrible? - Professor asked, nervously swallowing. - It is impossible evil to wish a fellow creature, even in thoughts, Serezhen'ka... - Sipina compressed.

However much Professor did not hear her already. He tensely looked intently into a window. There a thin woman went along fence This was the mother of Professor. Pushing away Sipina, Professor jumped off straight in water.

- A-a, devil... - he carefully went to the threshold.

Erik, waking up, raised a head:

- That? Where?

- After Professor, - Butkovski was stirred.

The badly hidden expression of vexation appeared on face of Erik. He interrogatively looked at Professor, expecting that he will say now: "Disbelieve Rubble, it not after me, it after you arrived".

But Professor already was not in a dryer. He was in the street. Next to a mother.

- Well all right, - vainly trying to assume a condolatory air, Professor said, - be. - And, looking around, went out, covering a door.

And it became again quietly. Only the monotonous sound of falling drops violated a quiet.

- That you there, Erik, did flutter about a grandmother which in patties... - sat up from the bed of Butkovskiy. - Specify, that she with them did before...

- Ouch, boys, it is not necessary!!! - Sipina squealed and, turned away to the wall, closed a person hands.

- What do you cry? - Butkovski some time looked at its back, on shoulder-blades, sticking out through clothes, on a hole on stocking, which a rose heel looked through, and then made a wry face so, as if for him a tooth hurts.

- Profu drove. It will be lucky you other time. Here a mother will take a drink the morning after and will arrive.

Butkovski shift gaze for a window. There all was still: ground before boarding-school, narrow lawn, fence. Street. At home on other side. Rare passers-by... A grey melancholy showed through in the eyes of Buty - as a reflection of March snow.